Tentering machine



April 28, 1936. R RUSDEN 2,039,189

TENTERING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS.

April 28, 1936.

R. E. RUSDEN TENTERING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 29, .1952

A TTORNEYS.

April 28, 1936. R. E. RUSDEN TENTERING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 w o 6 j 5 J J o w 6 0 1i W 5 6 #1 3 J 3 PPV 0 7 6 I j 2 2 l|1|1||l i a 2 MM a 9 1 2 PM 1 INVENTOR. Qz'a/ZarJE/iasaw flaw, my

ATTORNEYS.

Filed July 29, 1952 5 SheetsSheet 5 its" [Iii

III I I II INVENTOR. fizb/m'cZZ/lzz safe/z Mu/M A T TORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 28, 1936 TENTERWG B LAGHINE Richard E. Rusden, Providence, R. 5., assignor to The Textile-Finishing Machinery (Company, a corporation of Rhode Island Application July 29, 1932, Seriai No. 625,825

17 Claims.

This invention relates to a tentering machine, and has for one of its objects to provide a machine in which the driving mechanism for the chain on the railswill be better supported than the driving mechanism which has heretofore been used in tentering machines.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a construction in which the weight of the driving parts will be supported independently of the drive shaft that a more even drive may be had and a more easy sliding adjustment of the parts may be had than where the weight of the parts are somewhat supported upon the driving shaft on which they are to slide.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a balanced mechanism for the adjustment of the chain rails by which no binding action on the drive shaft may be had during adjustment of the rails toward or from each other to vary the size of the machine for different widths of cloth.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a construction by which a lubricant retaining flange is provided about the end of the rail whereby the machine may be maintained in cleaner and better lubricated condition than where the grease is allowed to escape from the end of the rail where the chain extends about the sprocket gear.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a construction of chain rail which may be detached for taking the drive mechanism apart and for purposes'of machining the parts.

A further object of this invention is the prevision of a construction of sprocket gear which may be formed at lessexpense than heretofore.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a sprocket which may be formed in two partswith the chain engaging part formed of silent or non-metallic material for the more quiet running of the machine.

with these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction,- as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed outin the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the tentering machine with the length thereof foreshortened as indicated in broken lines. 6

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the bridge rails and showing in elevation the driving gear housing and a portion of the chain rail in section and attachedto the top thereof.

Fig. 4 is a central sectional view through the driving gear housing.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of one of the ends of thechain rail showing the driving mechanism for adjustment of the rail toward and from the center of the machine.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the end portion of the chain rail.

Fig. 7 is an end view of the parts shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on substantially line 6-8 of Fig. 6.

In the usual tentering machine the chain rails are slidably supported upon suitable standards so that they may be moved toward and from each other by oppositely threaded shafts at the ends of these rails. The driving mechanism for the chains on the rails is usually supported from each of the rails at the head end of the machine with a drive shaft extending through the gear housings for driving the gearing therein. The housings move with the rails and slide along the drive shaft as the rails are adjusted. This arrangement frequently causes some of the weight of the casing and gears to be exerted upon the drive shaft and thus sliding adjustment along this shaft isdifflcult. Further, the single threaded shaft for adjustment is usually placed at one side of this drive shaft and if there is any looseness between the parts there is a tendency for the threaded shaftto tend to twist the parts about the drive shaft and cause the parts to bind thereon. Also, it is found that in machines of this character that, in order to take apart and remove or replace any of thedrivinggears it is necessary to remove the drive shaft and drop the gearing out through the bottom of the casing.

In order to avoid these undesirable results, I have supported the driving mechanism upon two bridge rails and upon this driving mechanism the chain. rail rests so that no weight of the driving mechanism is carried by the chain rail and no weight will rest upon the drive shaft which is located between the bridge rails andextends through the gear mechanism. I have also provided two screw shafts for adjustment, one located on each side of the drive shaft and in substantially the plane thereof so that no binding action can occur along'the drive shaft as adjustment is bad; and I have also provided on the chain rail a construction by which a flange extends entirely around the curved end. of the rail so that no grease or other lubricant is discharged over this end of the rail as the machine "chain sprocket gear 33' cared to this hub by means of suitable bolts 34.

is in operation, the parts of which are readily detachable so that they may be easily taken apart for interchange or replacement of the driving parts when such manipulation is desired. Also, I have provided a construction of sprocket, the teeth of which may be readily interchanged and one in which fiber or non-metallic material may be used for more silent running; and the following is a detailed description of the present embodiment of this invention illustrating the preferred means by which these advantageous results may be accomplished.

With reference to the drawings, the machine consists of the support standards H) with cross bars extending between the standards on opposite sides of the machine and on which the chain rails, designated generally I2, are supported for sliding movement.

At the head end of the machine, where the driving of the tenter chain occurs, there is pro vided a pair of bridge rails l3 which are of generally channel shape construction as illustrated in Fig.3 and are connected at spaced intervals by the rods 65 threaded at their end portions and provided with securing nuts 66. These rails support a casing or gear housing H by reason of the shoulders IS on the top and IS on the bottom on opposite sides of the housing engaging the upper and lower machined surfaces l1 and I8 of the bridge rails, this casing being freely slidable laterally of the machine toward and from the center of the machine along these rails and supported thereby. Through the lower portion of this casing N there extends a drive shaft l9 supported in fixed bearings at its ends and which is driven from a suitable source of power in the usual manner of manipulation of machines of this character. It will be of course understood that there are two chain rails for engaging the opposite edges of the web of fabric and the parts now being described are in duplicate, one being secured to each rail.

Within the casing M which consists of a body part supported by the rails; a top cover Ma and bottom cover |4b suitably secured together by bolts as shown in Fig. 4, there is mounted a spiral bevelled gear 20 attached to a hub portion 2| which is keyed to the shaft I9 as at 22. The hub is rotatably supported in ball bearings 23 mounted in the casing, whereby rotation of the shaft l8 transmits rotary movement to the gear 20.

A spiral bevelled gear 24 meshes with the gear 20 and is secured to a hub 25 fixed to the portion 26 of the stub shaft 21 mounted to rotate in the ball bearing 28 suitably supported in the upper portion of the casing. This shaft is driven by the intermeshing gears 20 and 24.

A collar member 29 forming a casing and support extends upwardly from the casing l4 and surrounds the stub shaft2l. The rail l2 of the machine is supported upon this collar portion while the ball bearing 30 is mounted in this member 29 and forms an upper bearing for the shaft 21, which extends through .the rail l2 and is reduced as at 3| to receive a. hub 32 of the tenter which is detachably se- The chain en a ing part of the sprocket is formed of silent or non-metallic material. The hub 32 is keyed to the stub shaft 21 to rotate therewith and forms the driving means for one of the tenter chains, one link it of which is-shown in engagement with the tooth 35 of this gear and in a podtlon to have its swinging jaw 3041 opened by reason of its arm 31 engaging the opening flange 38 supported on the rotating hub of the sprocket gear.

By this arrangement the housings for the gears are supported by the bridge rails l3 and the end of the chain rail is supported on these bridge rails rather than having this entire mechanism supported by and hanging from the extending end of the chain rail which is supported a substantial distance inwardly from the end of the rail, thus leaving this heavy portion partially resting upon the drive shaft which extends through the casing. In order, however, to assist in supporting the rail 1 have provided a strut 39 which is bolted to the rail [2 as at 40 and 4|, and which slidably engages the upper surface 42 of one of the rails to assist in supporting the rail directly from this bridge rail as well as being supported through the casing I4 and collar member 29 as above described.

In order that the rails may be moved toward and from each other, I have provided screw shafts 43 on either side ofthe drive shaft i9 and in the same horizontal plane thereof and have housed one within each of the channeled bridge rails l3. These screw shafts are oppositely threaded from their center outwardly toward their ends and extend through nuts 44 secured to the casing I4 through the projections 44a held in position in any suitable manner. These screw shafts are manipulated in unison by being connected together through shaft 45 having worms 46 fixed thereon and engaging with the worm gears 4'1 on the end of the shaft 43. This shaft 45 is rotated from any suitable source of power through gear 48 upon one end of the shaft or may be manipulated by hand, if so desired.

The chain rail itself has its head end portion formed in several sections. Two sections 50 and 5| (the former being shown in Fig. 6 as shaded for contrast), continue on the straight line path of the general extent of the chain rail and these sections are each provided with channels 52 in which the tenter chain is guided and slides. An end section 53 is generally semi-circular and is provided with a channel 54 to connect the channels 52 and complete the track for the tenter chain. A flange 55 is provided on each of the sections 50 and 5| and this flange is tapered from its end 56 toward its end 56a so as to provide a narrower width and greater space for the chain link as it tilts at an angle in its passage about the curved portion of its track. A flange 51, of the harrowed width, is on the end section 53 and thus this flange is continued about the periphery of the rail at the end thereof, thus preventing the grease or lubricant from the chain from being discharged over the end of the rail as has been usual in machines of this character.

Downwardly extending lugs 53 and 59 respectively on the section il and on the sections 50 and 5| are secured together by suitable bolts 50 and nuts 6 I. By these separable sections the sur faces of the rail and flange may be machined and V A the parts assembled as above set forth. Further, the separable sections and the particular construction here provided enables the stub shaft 21 to be removed from the machine as well as the sprocket gear without dropping the casing and removing the drive shaft as was heretofore nee-- essary in machines as customarily assembled and placed on the market. Thus where repairs are necessary or replacement of worn parts, the labor involved for the change of these parts is materially reduced. 1

Theforegoing description is directed, solely towards the construction illustrated, but I desire it to be understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to which the device is susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:-

1. In a tentering machine, a pair of chain rails, driving gearing at one end of the rails, support standards at spaced intervals for said chain rails, and bridge rails supported at the head end of the I machine between and below the upper bearing surfaces of which the driving gearing is supported.

2. In a tentering machine, a pair of bridge rails at the head end of the machine, spaced chain rail supports, a pair of chain rails slidable along the supports, and a box containing driving gearing for the chain rails supported between and slidable along said pair of bridge rails.

3. In a tentering machine, a pair of bridge rails, a pair of chain rails, chains on said chain rails, driving gearing for the chain, said gearing being inclosed in a casing located below the upper bearing surfaces between and supported by the bridge rails at the head end of the machine.

4. In a tentering machine, a pair of generally channel shape b'ridge rails with their open faces toward each other, a gear mounting casing supported on and slidable along said rails and located between them, a chain rail secured to said casing and having a sprocket gear at the head end, means for slidably supporting said casing rails, and gears in said casing for driving said sprocket gear.

5. In a tentering machine, a pair of generally channel shape bridge rails, gear mounting casings supported on and slidable along said rails, chain rails secured to said casings and having a sprocket gear at the head end, means for slidably supporting said casings and chain rails, gears in said casing for driving said sprocket gear, and a threaded shaft housed in one of said bridge rails and having threadedengagement with said casings for relatively moving the casing and in turn the chain rails. I Y

6. In a tentering 'machine, a bridge rail, gear mounting casings supported onand slidable along said rails, chain rail, means for supporting said chain rails on said casings. and a pair of threaded shafts disposed on opposite sides of said casing and having threaded engagement therewith for relatively moving the casings and in turn the chain rails.

7. In a tentering machine, a pair of generally channel shape bridge rails, gear mounting casings supported on and slidable along said rails, chain rails secured to said casings and each having a sprocket gear at the head end, means for slidably supporting said casing, gears in said casings for driving said sprocket gears, and a pair of threaded shafts housed within the bridge rails and disposed on opposite sides of said casings and having threaded engagement therewith for relatively moving the rails.

. 8. In a tentering machine, a pair of chain rails, driving gearing, a pair of bridge rails for supporting said driving gearing, and brace means secured to each of said chain rails and slidable on and supported by one of said bridge rails.

9. In a tentering machine, a chain rail comprising two sections, a sprocket wheel on one section, drive gearing for said sprocket wheel, bearing supports for said sprocket and gearing secured to said last mentioned section, and meansfor removably securing said sections together.

10. In a tentering machine, a chain rail comprising a plurality of sections, a sprocket wheel on one section, gearing for operating said sprocket wheel, a housing for said gearing secured to said last mentioned section, and means for removably securing said sections together whereby said sprocket, gearing, housing and section may be removed as a unit.

11. In a. tentering machine, a pair of spaced bridge rails, gear mounting casings supported on and slidable along said rails, chain rails, means for supporting said chain rails on said casings,

and a threaded shaft located in a vertical plane passing between the distal portions of said bridge rails and having threaded engagement with the casings for moving the casings and in turn the chain rails.

12. In a tentering machine, a pair of chain rails, a pair of screws for adjusting the distance of said rails one from the other, and a drive shaft maintaining slidable operative connection with the chains on said rails and located in line with. said adjusting screws.

13. In a tentering machine, a pair of chain rails, a pair of screws for adjusting the distance of said rails one from the other, and a drive shaft maintaining slidable operative connection with the chains on said rails and located between and in linewith said adjusting screws.

14. In a tentering machine, a pair of bridge rails of channel shape construction, a pair of chain rails slidably supported on said bridge rails, a pair of screws located in said bridge rails for adjusting the distance of said chain rails one from the other, and a drive shaft maintaining slidable operative connection with the chains on said rails and located in line with said adjusting screws.

15. In a tentering machine, a pair of bridge rails of channel shape construction opening inwardly, apair of chain rails slidably supported on said bridge rails, a pair of screws located in said bridge rails for adjusting the distance of said chain rails one from the other, and a drive shaft maintaining slidable operative connection with the chains on said rails and located be tween and in line with said adjusting screws.

16. In a tentering machine, a pair of chain rails, spaced bridge rails providing supports for the chain rails at the head end of the machine, a drive shaft located in a vertical plane between said bridge rails, and driving means for each chain rail driven from said drive shaft.

17. In-a tentering machine, a pair of chain rails, spaced bridge rails providing supports for the chain rails at the head end of the machine, a drive shaft located in a vertical plane midway between said bridge rails, and driving means for each chain rail driven from said drive shaft.

RICHARD E. RUSDEN. 

